Magneto, the master of magnetism: X Men hero or villain?
Magneto, is one of the most fascinating and ambiguous characters in the Marvel universe.
He is both a tragic anti-hero and protector of mutants, his story, powers, and future in the MCU raise many questions.
Who is Magneto in X-Men?
Magneto, alias Erik Lensherr, is one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel universe, known for his central role in the X-Men saga.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, he embodies a mutant who is both antagonist and ally, making his character far more complex than a typical villain seen in other works.
His tragic story begins during World War II. Born Ashkenazi Jewish, Erik Lensherr is deported with his family to a Nazi concentration camp, where he helplessly witnesses the murder of his parents.
It is in this hell that he discovers his first powers while trying to escape the clutches of his tormentors.
This past, marked by horror, shapes his radical vision: mutants must dominate or be annihilated by humans, whom he considers too dangerous.
Unlike Charles Xavier, his former friend turned greatest rival, Magneto does not believe in peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. He thus founds the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, an organization meant to defend his people, even if it means using extreme methods.
What distinguishes him from classic villains is that his fight is morally justifiable, making his character fascinating and ambivalent.
What are Magneto's powers?
Magneto is one of the most powerful mutants in the Marvel universe. His primary ability is control over magnetism, a capability that far exceeds mere manipulation of metal.
In reality, his power allows him to interact with Earth's electromagnetic fields, granting him nearly divine strength.
With this mastery, he can:
- - Lift and manipulate metallic objects, ranging from a simple coin to an aircraft carrier.
- - Generate impregnable force fields, capable of stopping bullets or even withstanding the attacks of the most powerful superheroes.
- - Alter electromagnetic waves, thus disrupting communications, disabling technology, or manipulating electricity.
- - Influence the iron in blood, which allows him to neutralize his enemies with a simple gesture.
What makes Magneto so formidable is not just the extent of his powers, but his strategic intelligence.
He understands physics better than anyone and uses his knowledge to push the boundaries of his abilities.
In some versions of the comics, he even manages to control gravitational forces, elevating his potential to a cosmic level.
How can Magneto fly?
The question often intrigues: how can Magneto defy gravity and rise into the air?
Unlike mutants who can manipulate air or have wings, Magneto uses his power over the Earth's electromagnetic field to propel himself.
Here are some theories explaining his flight:
- - Metal manipulation: He creates an electromagnetic field around metallic objects (like his boots or helmet) to make them levitate with him.
- - Interaction with the Earth's magnetic field: Like a compass needle, he adjusts his position by interacting directly with the planet's force lines.
- - Repulsion field: He can generate a repulsive field against the ground, allowing him to float and move at high speed.
What is fascinating is that this ability gives him absolute control over his movement. He can change direction instantly, suspend his fall, or hover silently, making him a formidable asset in combat.
Moreover, this technique allows him to escape almost any form of capture.
Is Magneto a supervillain?
In the X-Men universe, Magneto is often seen as an antagonist, but can he really be considered a supervillain? His story and motivations make this question much more nuanced.
Unlike characters like the Joker or Thanos, Magneto does not seek to create chaos for pleasure or for a clearly questionable moral goal (hello Thanos!).
His goal is clear: to protect mutants from human persecution. And he has valid reasons to think this way. In the comics and movies, mutants are victimized by discrimination, genocide, and inhumane scientific experiments.
He thus considers the war against humans an act of survival.
His relationship with Charles Xavier perfectly illustrates this moral ambiguity. While Xavier embodies the pacifist utopia, Magneto is a realist. He knows that human history is filled with oppression and massacres and refuses to let his people suffer the same fate.
Several story arcs in the Marvel comics show him as a hero:
- - He has saved the Earth multiple times, notably by repelling alien threats.
- - He has led the X-Men when Charles Xavier was absent, proving that he can be a benevolent leader.
- - He has sacrificed his powers multiple times to help mutants and restore balance.
Thus, Magneto is not truly a villain or a villain in the conventional sense: he is a tragic anti-hero, a character whose choices are sometimes cruel, but never senseless.
The future of Magneto in the X-Men and Marvel
With the acquisition of Fox by Disney, the X-Men are poised to make their entry into the MCU, and the burning question among fans is: what future does Magneto have in this universe?
Some credible scenarios are emerging:
- 1. A rewriting of his origin: Marvel could modernize his story, by having him born in a more current context, such as the Rwandan genocide or recent civil wars, while retaining his foundational trauma.
- 2. A central role in the X-Men reboot: He could be introduced as an antagonist before becoming a temporary ally, as is often the case in the comics.
- 3. An appearance in Secret Wars: The event Secret Wars, which appears to be the next major MCU crossover, could include Magneto in an interdimensional battle, where his power would be crucial.
- 4. A solo film about his past: Marvel could explore his youth and transformation into a mutant leader, somewhat akin to the Joker of Joaquin Phoenix, but within the superhero universe.
One thing is certain: Marvel Studios cannot ignore such an iconic character.
His entry into the MCU will mark a major turning point, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will take on the role of the master of magnetism.
His past and future paint him as a multifaceted and complex antagonist. To merely label Magneto as an enemy in the X-Men saga would not be accurate and would not do justice to the character, who so richly deserves it!
By the team at MySuperSuit
